Describes an initiative by one District Resource Team to involve birth parents in ongoing training for approved foster caregivers. The objective was to enhance carers' sensitivity to birth parents' feelings and difficulties, and their ability to empathize with parents. Highlights the current trend in social work decision making toward involving…

Examined the history of adoption practices for children of color at the Boys and Girls Aid Society of Oregon. During the period studied (1944-77), 466 children of color were placed with adoptive parents of the same or different race. The agency pioneered new practices, yet also reflected broader social factors regarding adoption and attitudes…

Discusses changes in leaving care in England and Wales, based on a survey of young people leaving the care of social service departments that examined diversity of care leavers; care careers; age at independence; living out of care; and after-care support. Summarizes key policy and practice issues, and outlines new directions for practice and…

Describes a county library system's experience with a computerized information and referral system and highlights strengths and weaknesses of the systems. Strengths included the library maintaining control, with other agencies participating; using existing programs and databases where possible; and establishing copyright. Problems included not…

Reviews the programs of eight nonprofit agencies in New York State that provide parenting training and direct assistance to parents who are mentally retarded. Briefly profiles the families in these programs. Discusses program experiences and common lessons learned by the programs. Sets forth guidelines for work with similar clients. (AS)

Students in teacher-education programs can benefit from the experience of working in a multiagency, urban school collaboration site. A case study of one site is presented in which students learn about the diversity of urban schools while completing a service-learning project connected to an educational-psychology class. (Author/MMU)

Examines the quality of care in two mid-19th-century day nurseries in North America. Finds that quality was associated with saving children's lives within a context of charity-based social welfare. The concern for the health and safety of children led to the entrenchment of a custodial model of child care, which proved resilient into the 20th…

This monograph includes eight articles that examine self-employment as a goal for vocational rehabilitation closure for rural disabled people. Articles cover the changing labor market and increasing opportunities for self-employment; an account of how home-based employment allowed a disabled worker to become self-sufficient; policies and practices…

Noting that the gains made by children must be understood and supported by the family and community, Head Start gives parents and other family members many opportunities to develop an appreciation of the young child's needs and how to meet those needs. Successful parental involvement enters into every aspect of Head Start; therefore, Head Start…

This newsletter issue discusses the results of a survey of 242 Family and Youth Service Bureau agencies that investigated the number of youth (ages 16-21) with disabilities served, and the incidence of and response to youth who did not have an identified disability, but whom staff may have suspected had an underlying learning, emotional, or other…

As the case management approach has become increasingly popular, a new phenomenon has emerged. A client may have several case managers, each employed by a different project, and these managers may not be aware of each other. The National Center for Children in Poverty has recently conducted research on case management in service integration…

The National Center for Children in Poverty recently conducted research on case management in service integration projects. The core of the study's information comes from 16 projects around the country, all serving children living in poverty. This brief discusses the characteristics of case managers, including their demographic attributes, tenure,…

The logic and methodology applied in a management science approach to performance and staff utilization in the Client Benefits (CBA) and Community Service (CSA) divisions of the Suffolk County (New York) Department of Social Services (SCDSS) are described. Using a blend of classical organization theory and management science techniques, the CBA…

This guide was developed to help Wisconsin agency assessment, evaluation, and planning personnel to develop a perspective on how needs assessment fits into their state's vocational rehabilitation program planning. Volume II provides state agency personnel with tools for conducting rehabilitation needs assessment. The first three chapters consider…

Linking schools and social services has become a national and international movement. This linking usually involves making a wide variety of services available to all family members, community development, cooperation among services, and systemwide change. This book provides a framework for discussing this issue. It examines the values behind…